LFANC COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates | North Carolina

April 2021 - Covid Vaccine is open to all, 16 and older. Everyone can be vaccinated, regardless of their immigration status. Getting vaccinated will not affect your immigration status. Read More.

• Find a vaccination site.

February

• COVID-19 Vaccine and Lupus Questions Answered.
• American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guideline: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary for Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases.

December

• December 15 - COVID-19 Vaccine and Lupus.
• December - COVID-19 and Lupus.

October

• October 23 - Recent findings show that people critically ill with COVID-19 and people with Lupus share similar immune-response features.

August

• August 28 - The CDC has released some helpful information about choosing and cleaning face masks. Find the information here.
• August 10 - Tips on how you can prepare to go back to school during COVID-19.

July

• July 13 - As states begin to move into the next phases of reopening, Chair of our Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, Dr. Karen Costenbader, discusses precautions and considerations for people living with Lupus.
   
• July 10 - Pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Rubenstein, provides information and guidance for parents as states discuss the reopening of schools this fall. 

June

• June 23 - In a new survey conducted by the Lupus Foundation of America, 55% of respondents taking antimalarials to manage their Lupus reported having difficulty accessing their prescription for hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine during March-May 2020 of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 
   
• June 15 - The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Read our statement.

May

• May 15 - The CDC has released advice for people who are at higher risk of serious illness from the coronavirus because they have compromised immune systems. Some people with Lupus may have compromised immune systems because of the medications they take to control their disease. Read the CDC guidance here.
   
• May 12 - We've accomplished so much this spring. We put together an overview of our advocacy actions over the last couple of months.

• May 4 - Using recommendations from the CDC, we put together a list of what you can do to protect yourself when your state starts lifting restrictions.

April

• April 27 - The CDC has updated its information on COVID-19 symptoms to include chills, shaking with chills, muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, and a loss of taste or smell. Read more about what to do if you get sick. 
• April 26 - Continue to reduce stress and anxiety with 30-minute daily guided meditation sessions with Dr. Neda Gould. When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 PM and Tuesday and Thursday at 9 AM. Meeting ID: 747-490-420. Zoom link here. 
   
• April 22 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has published an interview with experts.
   
• April 20 - Analysis of initial data on Lupus and COVID-19 from the Global Rheumatology Alliance is now available. Of the reported cases in the registry, 17% have Lupus.
   
• April 15: Dr. Sam Lim, Chief of Rheumatology for Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia, provides an update about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people with Lupus.
   
• April 9 -What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms.
• April 9 - Travis Smith, Director of Government Relations for the Lupus Foundation of America, answers questions about supply and access to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for people with Lupus. Watch the video.
   
• April 8 - We've identified several new resources for those people having trouble filling their Plaquenil prescriptions. Read the details.
   
• April 8 - We are proud to support the Global Rheumatology Alliance’s COVID-19 Registry. This important international effort will collect de-identified information from clinicians and people with rheumatic diseases, such as Lupus. Read more and access the registry here.
   
• April 8 - The FAQ for Lupus and the coronavirus has been updated with two questions about finances, and three new health questions.
   
• April 20 - Analysis of initial data on Lupus and COVID-19 from the Global Rheumatology Alliance is now available.
• April 15: Dr. Sam Lim, Chief of Rheumatology for Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia, provides an update about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people with Lupus.
• April 9 - What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms.
• April 9 - Travis Smith, Director of Government Relations for the Lupus Foundation of America, answers questions about supply and access to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for people with Lupus. Watch the video.
• April 8 - We've identified several new resources for those people having trouble filling their Plaquenil prescriptions. Read the details.
• April 8 -Read more and access to the Global Rheumatology Alliance's COVID-19 registry here.
• April 8 - The FAQ for Lupus and the coronavirus.
• April 6: The co-chairs of the Congressional Lupus Caucus and the Congressional Arthritis Caucus, joined by 49 other Representatives, submitted a letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force urging action to ensure people with Lupus have access to the drugs they need. More than 10,000 Lupus advocates asked their Representatives to sign the letter.
• April 6: The co-chairs of the Congressional Lupus Caucus and the Congressional Arthritis Caucus, joined by 49 other Representatives, submitted a letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force urging action to ensure people with Lupus have access to the drugs they need. More than 10,000 Lupus advocates asked their Representatives to sign onto the letter.

• April 4 - New blog post: there is no evidence that taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is effective in preventing a person from contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more.
   
• April 3 - We've collected a few of the updates for the past week, which you can read here: Coronavirus Prevention and Underlying Health Conditions Updates.
   
• April 3 - Now you can find out what your state is doing to ensure people with Lupus are able to access hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine while they are being investigated for use in treating COVID-19. We're tracking the actions of every state.
   
• April 1 - Watch the video of a conversation with Pat Wildman, Lupus Foundation of America Vice President for Advocacy & Government Relations. He gives a status report on the Foundation's actions to date to ensure a supply of these drugs for people with Lupus.
   
• April 1 - Take action! Ask your Representative to sign onto the letter urging them to ensure access to these drugs for people with Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It only takes 60 seconds. Send the letter now. 
   
• April 1-frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Lupus.
   
• April 1 - Tips on what to do if you have a prescription for hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine and are experiencing difficulties getting your prescription filled.

March

• March 31 - FDA Recognizes Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Shortages.
  
   
• March 31 - Read more about the positive responses we've been getting.
• March 30 - The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for coronavirus COVID-19 treatment. Read more about what this means for people with Lupus.
• March 28 - Dr. Ashira Blazer, Rheumatologist at New York University's Langone Medical Center joined us for a Facebook Live video to answer all of the most recent questions. Watch the recorded video.
   
• March 27 - The Lupus Foundation of America in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation is urging state pharmacy boards and other important stakeholders involved with the drug supply chain to take immediate action to ensure the availability of hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and chloroquine (Aralen) for people with Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Read the letter.
   
• March 26 - we need you to add your voice to the fight and contact your members of Congress in support of the people with Lupus who rely on these medications.

• March 24 - The NC Board of Pharmacy Board passes emergency rules to mitigate certain drug shortages, specifically hydroxychloroquine- a common drug used in the treatment of Lupus patients. View the board's emergency rule here.
   
• March 24 - Our new resource looks to help you cope with the stress and emotional strain of both the coronavirus itself and being isolated from loved ones. Read more.
   
• March 24- Three new frequently-asked questions have been added to the FAQ from our Health Educators on this page. 
   
• March 23 - Read the joint statement by the Lupus Foundation of America, American College of Rheumatology, American Academy of Dermatology, and the Arthritis Foundation urging the White House Coronavirus Task Force and nation's governors to ensure Hydroxychloroquine access during the COVID-19 crisis.
   
• March 21 - The LFA partnered with national patient organizations to submit a letter to the Congressional Leadership and the Administration calling for the implementation of needed patient protections that include ensuring people with Lupus continue to have access to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). 
   
• March 21 - Read our questions and answers regarding Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and Coronavirus.
   
• March 20 - Read our statement regarding access to hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for people with Lupus. 
   
• March 17 - The CDC has recommended that people with serious underlying health conditions stay home and avoid other people as much as possible. Please see Appendix A (on page 10) in this document from the CDC for a more detailed explanation of underlying health conditions that may increase the risk of serious illness from coronavirus.

A free COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all who want it, but supplies will be limited at first.  

• Find out if you are eligible.
• Find your local spot to see if you qualify for the COVID-19 shot.
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If you think you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms get tested as safely as you can. Make sure to wear your mask, wash your hands, and quarantine in your home.

• Find a no-cost community testing site.
• Find a closer testing site - there may be fees.
• Steps to take after testing for COVID-19.

Find your local health department in your county.

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